Two-time Commonwealth Games gold medalist Sanjita Chanu will finally get the coveted Arjuna Award, which was put on hold since 2018 after she was charged of doping.
A Sports Ministry source confirmed that the weightlifter from Manipur will be conferred with the coveted award as per a 2018 Delhi High Court order.
The HC order directed the selection committee to consider her and keep the decision in a sealed cover to be disclosed only if she was absolved of the doping charges.
The Sports Ministry official informed that as Chanu was released of all the doping charges by the international federation, hence it will have to abide by the Delhi HC order and consider her for the award.
It may be mentioned here that Chanu in 2017 had filed a write petition before the Delhi HC challenging the decision to exclude her from the 2017 Arjuna Awards.
While the case was being fought in the case, Sanjita Chanu tested positive for a banned substance in May 2018.
However, the Delhi HC in August 2019 directed the committee to consider Chanu for the award and keep its decision in a sealed cover, pending a decision on her appeal against dope charges.
The International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) dropped the doping charge against Chanu due to “non-conformities” in the handling of her sample last month.
It may be mentioned here that the weightlifter plans to seek compensation from the IWF for the trauma she went through.